I experienced a “new thing” this summer that was also a bucket list item. I finally saw the Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. We have been to Chicago numerous times, however, art museums were not on our destination list as a family with little boys. Time marches on of course…. and now we have a young adult son studying at Loyola Chicago. This summer he was hired for an internship so we visited Chicago to help him apartment shop. When we could not obtain any apartment visits, we had time on our hands and ended up at the Art Institute of Chicago. Finally!
Very briefly, Mrs. James Ward Thorne created 68 miniature rooms in the 1930’s and 1940’s. There are 31 rooms representing European Architecture and 37 representing American architecture. The quality and detail of the furnishings are exquisite and it’s hard to tell you are looking at miniatures when you see photographs.
Here are some of my favorite rooms – English Library, English Reception Room, English Bedchamber, French Bathroom, English Entrance Hall, Tennessee Entrance Hall, English Dining Room and English Library. In addition to detailed furniture replicated in miniature, there are exquisite carpets, carved paneling, elaborate fireplaces and painted walls. Some rooms have doors or windows revealing exterior garden designs and landscaping.
The ironic part is that after years of not visiting since I thought I was the only family member who would enjoy it, our son loved the Art Institute and we actually stayed longer than I wanted to.
What can you knock off of your bucket list?
newthingsat50 